You can read PDF version of the entire book at the following link:

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/pwp&CISOPTR=138&REC=1

Enjoy.

-BambaLaye

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 Posted on Fri, Oct. 05, 2007
Poetic justice 'This was the moment' for USC to acquire a prized first
edition of Wheatley's 'Poems'By NATASHA DERRICK
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The worn, leatherbound copy of Phillis Wheatley's "Poems on Various
Subjects, Religious and Moral" does not make a big first impression. But the
small 128-page book is a giant of historical and literary importance.

Acquired this summer by the Department of Rare Books at USC's Thomas Cooper
Library, "Poems" is a 1773 first edition of the first book published by an
African-American author.

"We ought to have (acquired) it long ago," said Patrick Scott, director of
rare books. "But this was the moment that the institution can do something
with this book."

One of about 100 first editions of Wheatley's book registered
internationally, USC's copy is the only one in the state. While the exact
print run is not known, a typical printing at the time was between 1,000 and
2,000, according to Scott.

The department has made a digital facsimile of the book that is available
online for free as a resource for teachers and students. It's the first time
the first edition of Wheatley's book has been available without a fee or
subscription.

The book was purchased for $35,000, with the cost shared by the College of
Arts & Sciences and the library's endowment.

"This was a landmark acquisition for us," Scott said. "It cost more than my
annual acquisitions budget."

USC history professor and director of the African American Research
Initiative Daniel C. Littlefield sees this as a step forward for
African-American studies at USC.

"Acquiring it shows the commitment to collecting such materials," he said.
"Many 18th-century people had doubts about the capabilities of Africans, and
her accomplishments helped to assuage the doubts of some people."

Seeing a first edition of a book such as Wheatley's is important to
understanding the author and the time in which she wrote.

"For an 18th-century book you can see the money that was spent in its
production," said USC English professor David Shields. "It was meant to be a
statement. That's something that you don't see from a reprint or reading the
poems in a textbook or anthology."

American publishers of the day were skeptical that a young female slave
actually penned the poems. On page seven is an attestation with the names of
prominent Bostonians, including John Hancock, confirming she was the author.

Boston publishers still would not touch it. Instead, Wheatley traveled to
Britain to have the book published. According to Scott, a favorable
religious and abolitionist environment in Britain made that possible.

As a bonus, the front of "Poems" has a portrait of Wheatley by Scipio
Moorhead, the first known African-American artist.

For all its historical significance, Scott does not justify such a large
purchase based solely on the book's prestige. USC has gone a step further by
putting the book online. "Our goal is to do something new, not just
duplicate the work others have done."

Reach Derrick at (803) 771-8640.

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